Victim retrieval system, method and appratus

ABSTRACT

A victim retrieval apparatus for use with a vehicle. In some embodiments, the rescue basket comprises one or more wheels. The articulating head of the boom comprises a rotatable pulley for receiving the rescue line and is able to allow the vehicle to be parked in any position necessary while rescuing the victim. A knot-passing pulley enables a safety line (with emergency brake device) to be coupled to the basket thereby ensuring the safety of the victim in the basket at all times. The rescue basket comprises a remote control for controlling the winch speed that is able to be located at the winch itself, or be of a hand-held nature and attached at the rescue basket instead of at the vehicle if visual contact is problematic.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) ofco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/509,941, filedJul. 20, 2011, and entitled “Rescue Hoist System, Method and Apparatus,”which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to rescue by a mechanically assisted rescue hoistof victims from down an embankment. In particular, the invention relatesto a rescue apparatus for providing a quick descent for rescuers from aningress point and safe ascent for victims, cargo and rescuers to theegress point, which is the location from which the victim or cargo isbeing recovered.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

When a vehicle exits a roadway or other terrain, over-bank or cliffaccidents occur. Victims are found down the embankment or cliff and inneed of extrication and retrieval/rescue. These rescues are able to beparticularly difficult because rescuers must be able to quickly andsafely reach the victim without injury. The injured must be carefullyretrieved in order to prevent further injury during retrieval. Rescuevehicles and personnel arriving on scene utilize a Z-Pulley System whichis anchored to the vehicle using knots or a chock attached to theproximal end of the rope of the Z-Pulley System and is inserted into thespokes on the fire engine wheel or coupled directly to the fire engineitself. The Z-Pulley system can also be coupled to a tree or otherstanchion. Rescues with the Z-pulley system setup are time consuming,require up to eight (8) responders, and provide at best a slow, bumpyride up as rescuers negotiate the often dangerous terrain on foot whileattempting to steady the basket containing the victim with sheer muscle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a victim retrievalapparatus for use with a rescue vehicle. In some embodiments, the victimretrieval apparatus comprises a winch, a remote control for operatingthe winch, a fairlead assembly, rope or cable, side-load straps, largeeye-bolts to secure the side-load straps, a two-piece head assembly thatrotates to support loads in any direction without altering the parkedposition of the rescue vehicle. In some embodiments, the victimretrieval apparatus also comprises an adjustable strap system forleveling a rescue basket, rappelling harnesses for rescuers, a set oflarge carabineers and a rescue basket that is able to have a variety ofvital sign detecting equipment and other rescue equipment. In someembodiments, the rescue basket comprises one or more wheels attached tothe underside. The victim retrieval apparatus is able to also containthe addition of a capstan winch combined with a knot-passing pulleyapparatus in case of a more distant point of rescue. A manned safetyline and pulley (with emergency brake device) are coupled to the bottomof the rotating head assembly to ensure the position of the basketcarrying the victim will not change should the main safety rope fail.

In some embodiments, the rescue basket also comprises a remote controlfor controlling the winch at the rescue basket or other positions remotefrom the vehicle, instead of at the vehicle where vision to the basketis able to be problematic. In operation, two rescuers are attached tothe basket's downslope edge. They descend with the basket using theirfeet on the slope to maintain position while being allowed to descend bythe winch on the vehicle above. The victim retrieval apparatus requiresonly a few minutes for assembly after the rescue vehicle arrives onscene. It is secured by a safety line and is remotely controlled tosafely ferry rescuers to a victim down an embankment thus eliminatingthe need for visual signals between an operator at the vehicle and therescuers at the basket. Thus, victim retrieval apparatus reduces thenumber of responders required to three (3), reduces the time down and upthe embankment by half, and, due to its unique design, requires muchless physical exertion by the rescuers while providing a stable platformthat minimizes bumps and jostling the victim during ascent.

A first aspect of the present application is directed to a victimretrieval apparatus for retrieving victims from an area. The apparatuscomprises a reel mechanism configured to controllably reel in or let outa tow line, a basket coupled to the reel mechanism via the tow line anda boom having a boom head, a rotatable pulley and one or more supportbeams, wherein the tow line is threaded from the reel mechanism to thebasket through the boom head and onto the rotational pulley such thatthe rotational pulley rotates based on the outgoing angle of the towline. In some embodiments, the support beams and rotatable pulley aredetachably coupled together by the boom head. In some embodiments, theapparatus further comprises an anchor object having one or more hitches,wherein the support beams of the boom are detachably coupled to theanchor object via the hitches. In some embodiments, the apparatusfurther comprises one or more support members coupled between thesupport beams and the anchor object. In some embodiments, the anchorobject is a vehicle. In some embodiments, the apparatus furthercomprises a safety line coupled to the basket, wherein safety line ispositioned though a safety pulley on the boom head. In some embodiments,the basket comprises one or more wheels positioned on the bottom of thebasket such that the basket is able to roll on the wheels. In someembodiments, the wheels are extendable such that the basket is able tobe raised to a desired height while being supported by the wheels. Insome embodiments, the basket comprises a controller that controls theoperation of the reel mechanism. In some embodiments, the controller isdetachably coupled to the basket. In some embodiments, the controller isa wireless controller that wirelessly communicates with and controls thereel mechanism. In some embodiments, the controller is voice activated.In some embodiments, the basket comprises a lifting rail positionedalong the perimeter of a body of the basket. In some embodiments, thebasket comprises a plurality of adjustable straps that are able to beadjusted in length and couple the basket to the tow line. In someembodiments, the apparatus further comprises a fair lead device coupledto the reel mechanism, wherein the fair lead device receives the towline before the tow line enters or exits the reel mechanism in order toprevent the tow line from binding. In some embodiments, the apparatusfurther comprises a second reel mechanism coupled to the reel mechanismand the tow line for increasing the reeling power of the apparatus. Insome embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a load alarm mechanismcoupled with the reel mechanism such that during operation of the reelmechanism the load alarm mechanism is able to monitor the load on thereel mechanism. In some embodiments, the load alarm mechanism isconfigured to stop the reeling of the reeling mechanism if the detectedload reaches a predetermined load threshold. In some embodiments, theload alarm mechanism is configured to cause one or more alarm signals tobe output if the reel mechanism is in operation, if the detected loadreaches the predetermined load threshold or if the detected load isapproaching the predetermined load threshold. In some embodiments, theone or more alarm signals comprise one or more of audio signals, radiofrequency signals and bluetooth signals.

A second aspect of the invention is directed to a boom for use with aretrieval apparatus. The boom comprises a boom head having a bodycomprising one or more beam cavities, a pulley channel and a safetypulley, one or more support beams detachably coupled within the beamcavities and a rotatable pulley rotatably coupled within the pulleychannel. In some embodiments, the support beams each comprise an angledstub configured to couple with a hitch of an anchor object. In someembodiments, the boom further comprises one or more support membersdetachably coupled to the support beams between the stubs and the boomhead. In some embodiments, the rotatable pulley comprises a bearingelement positioned between the rotatable pulley and the pulley channelfor facilitating the rotation of the rotatable pulley within the pulleychannel In some embodiments, the bearing element comprises a protectivecollar or one or more ball bearings. In some embodiments, the boomfurther comprises a reel mechanism that is detachably coupled to thesupport beams. In some embodiments, the reel mechanism comprises a baseplate and the support beams each comprise a stop channel that receivesthe base plate when the reel mechanism is coupled to the support beams.In some embodiments, the stop channels each comprise a side wall thatabuts the side of the base plate when the reel mechanism is coupled tothe support beams such that the reel mechanism is prevented from movinglaterally with respect to the boom. In some embodiments, the base platecomprising a plurality of plate apertures and the support beams eachcomprise a beam apertures that align with one of the plate apertureswhen the reel mechanism is coupled to the support beams. In someembodiments, the boom further comprises a pin for each of the plateapertures that are positioned within the aligned plate and beamapertures in order to secure the reel mechanism to the support beams.

A third aspect of the invention is directed to a method of retrieving avictim from an area. The method comprises coupling together one or moresupport beams and a rotatable pulley with a boom head in order to form aboom, coupling the boom to an anchor object with the support beams,coupling a tow line from a feed mechanism to a basket by threading thetow line through the boom head onto the rotatable pulley and to thebasket, wherein the rotatable pulley rotates based on the outgoing angleof the tow line and activating the feed mechanism with a controller suchthat the basket is retracted or extended as desired by reeling in orletting out the tow line. In some embodiments, the method furthercomprises coupling a rescue line from a secure point to the basket bythreading the rescue line through a safety pulley coupled to the boomhead. In some embodiments, the basket comprises one or more wheelspositioned on the bottom of the basket. In some embodiments, the methodfurther comprises extending the one or more wheels of the basket to adesired height. In some embodiments, the method further comprisescoupling one or more support members between the support beams and theanchor object. In some embodiments, the anchor object is a vehicle. Insome embodiments, the basket comprises a controller that controls theoperation of the reel mechanism. In some embodiments, the controller isdetachably coupled to the basket. In some embodiments, the activation ofthe feed mechanism comprises issuing voice commands to the controller.In some embodiments, the controller is a wireless controller thatwirelessly communicates with and controls the reel mechanism. In someembodiments, the basket comprises a lifting rail positioned along theperimeter of a body of the basket, further comprising a rescuer couplingto basket via the lifting rail. In some embodiments, the basketcomprises a plurality of adjustable straps that couple the basket to thetow line, further comprising a rescuer adjusting the length of theadjustable straps in order to level the basket. In some embodiments, themethod further comprises a fair lead device coupled to the reelmechanism, wherein the fair lead device receives the tow line before thetow line enters or exits the reel mechanism in order to prevent the towline from binding. In some embodiments, the method further comprises asecond reel mechanism coupled to the reel mechanism and the tow line forincreasing the reeling power of the apparatus, wherein the activationcomprises controlling the second reel mechanism with the controller. Insome embodiments, the reel mechanism is detachably coupled to the one ormore support beams of the boom. In some embodiments, the method furthercomprises a load alarm mechanism coupled with the reel mechanism suchthat during operation of the reel mechanism the load alarm mechanism isable to monitor the load on the reel mechanism. In some embodiments, theload alarm mechanism is configured to stop the reeling of the reelingmechanism if the detected load reaches a predetermined load threshold.In some embodiments, the load alarm mechanism is configured to cause oneor more alarm signals to be output if the reel mechanism is inoperation, if the detected load reaches the predetermined load thresholdor if the detected load is approaching the predetermined load threshold.In some embodiments, the one or more alarm signals comprise one or moreof audio signals, radio frequency signals and bluetooth signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of a victim retrieval apparatusaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed bottom view of an articulating boomaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of a boom head base according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3B illustrates a back view of a boom head base according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of a boom head base according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3D illustrates a bottom view of a boom head base according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a boom head main pulley accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed view of a rescue basket according to someembodiments.

FIG. 5B illustrates a detailed view of a rescue basket according to someembodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method of rescue a victim accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of an articulating boom according to someembodiments.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an articulating boomaccording to some embodiments.

Embodiments of the victim retrieval apparatus are described relative tothe several views of the drawings. Where appropriate and only whereidentical elements are disclosed and shown in more than one drawing, thesame reference numeral will be used to represent such identicalelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a victim retrievalapparatus for use with any type of rescue vehicle including both smallerones as well as much larger standard rescue apparatus like fire enginesor heavy rescue vehicles. In some embodiments, the retrieval apparatuscomprises a winch, a rescue basket with or without wheels, and a remotecontrol that controls the speed of the winch. The remote control is ableto be attached via an electric cord to the winch. Alternatively, theremote control is able to be wireless and operate using Blue-Tooth,Infra-Red technology or other technology that encompasses hand-heldwireless technology. Thus, the remote is able to be carried separatelyby a rescuer as they descend with the basket or be manned at the winchby another rescuer that is reading hand signals from those below. Thearticulating head of the boom comprises a rotatable pulley for receivingthe rescue line and a safety pulley mounted to the underside of thearticulating head piece that enables a safety line to be coupled to theboom thereby ensuring the safety of the position of the rescue basket.The victim retrieval apparatus is quickly, in comparison to the currentZ-pulley technique, assembled onto a vehicle and secured by a safetyline and is remotely controlled both down and up the slope. Use of theremote control by the descending rescuers eliminates the need for handsignals between the rescuers and the person at the vehicle.

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the victimretrieval system as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The samereference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and thefollowing detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Inthe interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown. To understand the finalconfiguration, one must know that the rescue boom apparatus is in thestored position when not in use and is assembled by being removed fromthe storage fixture on the rescue vehicle and installed in just a fewminutes at the site of the rescue. It will also be appreciated that inthe development of any such actual installation, numerous end-userspecific features will be allowed to achieve the developer's specificgoals, such as compliance with various market applications or businessrelated constraints, and that these specific criteria will vary from oneapplication to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, itwill be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex andtime-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking ofengineering and fabricating for those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of a victim retrieval apparatus 100according to some embodiments. The retrieval apparatus 100 comprises twomain beams 102, one or more receiver hitches 104, a winch 106, a rescuebasket 108, a rescue rope 110, a fair lead fixture 112, a safety line116, an alarm mechanism 118 and one or more side-load straps 114. Insome embodiments, the retrieval apparatus 100 comprises one or moreadditional components and/or one or more of the components are able tobe omitted. For example, in some embodiments the apparatus 100 comprisesone or more additional winches, for example a capstan winch, which isable to be either attached permanently to a rescue vehicle 99, or beadjacent to the winch 106 in order to provide increased distance forrescue by allowing a longer rope to be tied to the original winch ropewhile maintaining the mechanical assistance of the capstan winch.Further, in some embodiments the apparatus 100 is able to comprise oneor more storage components for the retrieval apparatus 100 or accessorycomponents (not shown), wherein the storage components are coupled tothe vehicle 99 or other object for securely storing the apparatus 100 onthe vehicle 99. For example, the storage components are able to compriseone or more of carry boxes, hangers with straps, welded brackets and/orindustrial grade Velcro® straps coupled to the vehicle 99. Moreover, insome embodiments the apparatus 100 is able to comprise a rope gun orline launching device that is detachably coupled to the boom 102. Forexample, the rope gun is able to be attached to one or more of the mainbeams 202 of the boom 102 and used to propel a line across a distance(e.g. a stream) so that the line may be tied off across the distancebetween the apparatus 100 and a stanchion point. This provides theadvantage of providing safer water and other difficultly traversedobstacle rescues.

As shown in FIG. 1, the two main beams 202 (see FIG. 2) of the boom 102couple to the vehicle 99 or other object via the one or more receiverhitches 104. In some embodiments, the receiver hitches 104 are able tobe supplemented with or replaced by welded solid stock, hingemechanisms, and/or other attachment mechanisms capable of securelyattaching the support beams 202 to the vehicle 99 as are well known inthe art. In some embodiments, once coupled to the receiver hitches 104,the boom 102 forms a 45 to 55 degree angle with the ground.Alternatively, the boom 102 is able to form other angles with theground. The side load straps 114 are coupled between the vehicle 99 andthe support main beams 202 of the boom 102 in order to relieve a portionof any side or transverse loads experienced by the boom 102. In someembodiments, the side-load straps 114 are able to be replaced orsupplemented other suitable materials such as tube stock and/or solidtow bars that are able to snap-on or attach in other ways to the supportbeams 202. The winch 106 and fair lead fixture 112 are able to becoupled to the vehicle 99, wherein the rescue line 110 is fed from thewinch 106 through the fair lead fixture 112 and the pulley 208 (see FIG.2) of the boom 102 to the point at which the line 110 couples to therescue basket 108. The winch 106 is able to be used to control thevictim retrieval by lowering the rescue basket 108, and the fair leadfixture 112 is able to prevent the rescue line 110 from binding orcatching during operation of the victim retrieval apparatus 100.Further, because the pulley 208 is rotatable, the victim retrievalapparatus 100 is able to operate effectively at angles up to 0 and 180degrees and greater with respect to the perimeter of the vehicle 99 andor the orientation of the boom 102. In some embodiments, the rescue line110 comprises a climbing rope. Alternatively, the rescue line 110 isable to comprise one or more of a rope, a cable, and a winch cable orother suitable material. In some embodiments, the winch 106 is anelectric hydraulic winch. Alternatively, the winch 106 is able tocomprise any combination of an electric hydraulic winch, a gas hydraulicwinch, a fully or partially solar powered winch, battery powered winch,a remote generator powered winch or other types of reeling mechanisms.In some embodiments, the fair lead fixture 112 comprises steel.Alternatively, the fair lead fixture 112 is able to comprise e-glasstubing with a free spinning, bushing-style design and/or a Hardigg stylecase.

The alarm mechanism 118 is coupled with the winch 106 such that it isable to monitor the operation and/or load on the winch 106. As shown inFIG. 1, the alarm mechanism 118 is integrated with the winch 106.Alternatively, the alarm mechanism 118 is able to be a separate devicethat is wired or wirelessly coupled with the winch 106. For example, insome embodiments the alarm mechanism 118 is able to be positioned on therescue basket 108 while it monitors the operation and/or load on thewinch 106. In operation, the alarm mechanism 118 is able to producecontrol signals that are used to generate and/or adjust audible ornon-audible signals based on the operation of winch 106 in order toindicate the status of the winch 106. The adjustments to or differentaudible and/or non-audible signals are able to be produced based onwhether the winch 106 is in operation, the current load on the winch106, the change in load on the winch 106, whether the winch 106 isretracting or extending the line 110 or other statuses of the winch 106.For example, the alarm mechanism 118 is able to cause a first audiblesignal to be generated whenever it detects the winch 106 is in operationand a second or adjusted audible signal to be generated if it detectsthe load on the winch has reached a predetermined threshold (e.g. theload limit of the winch 106). Similarly, the alarm mechanism 118 is ableto cause first and second/adjusted non-audible signals (e.g. radiofrequency (RF) or bluetooth) to be generated that are received bydevices of the rescuers and cause the devices to indicate that status ofthe winch 106 (e.g. in operation or at load threshold). Further, in someembodiments the alarm mechanism 118 is able to produce control signalsthat automatically stop the operation such as the reeling in orretracting of the line 110 by the winch 106 when the alarm mechanism 118detects that the predetermined load threshold has been reached. Forexample, if the operator is retracting the line 110 to retrieve a victimand the load on the line 110 reaches the load threshold, the alarmmechanism 118 will lock the line in place, thereby not releasing theline, but preventing the load from exceeding the threshold. As a result,the alarm mechanism 118 is able to provide the benefit of preventing theoperator from exceeding a predefined load limit (e.g. the load limit ofthe winch) and thereby risking malfunction and/or failure of the winch106 and/or line 110. As a result, the alarm mechanism 118 is able toprovide a warning to the operators that operation has begun and/or thatthe winch 106 is reaching or has reached its load limit.

The alarm mechanism 118 is able to adjust the frequency, pitch and/orvolume of the audible signals based on the operation and/or load on thewinch 106. For example, the mechanism 118 is able to increase, decreaseor otherwise adjust the frequency, volume and/or pitch of the signals asthe winch 106 begins operations and/or as the load on the winch 106increases, decreases and/or approaches a predetermined load threshold.In some embodiments, the alarm mechanism 118 comprises one or morespeakers that output audible alarm signals. Alternatively, the alarmmechanism 118 is able to couple with and control remote audio mechanismsfor producing audible alarm signals. For example, the alarm mechanism118 is able to wired or wirelessly couple to the vehicle 99 in order toutilize the horn or other audio generating mechanisms of the vehicle inorder to produce the audible alarm signals. In some embodiments, thealarm mechanism 118 is able to transmit and/or receive bluetooth, RFand/or other types of signals. For example, the alarm mechanism 118 isable to utilize bluetooth, RF or other types of signals as the controlsignals to couple with and control the vehicle 99 and/or to send analarm signal to a device carried by the rescuers that indicates thealarm to the rescuers. In some embodiments, the alarm mechanism 118 isprogrammable such that under what conditions the signals are produced(e.g. when in operation, at a predetermined load threshold) and the typesignals produced for each condition is able to be selectively programmedby a user. As a result, the alarm mechanism 118 provides the advantageof adjusting for different types of winches and systems having differentload tolerances and other characteristics.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed bottom view of the articulating rescueboom 102 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, theassembled articulating rescue boom 102 comprises a plurality of supportbeams 202 coupled to receiver hitch stubs 204, a boom head base 206 anda boom head main pulley 208. The support beams 202 utilize the stubs 204to couple to the receiver hitches 104 as shown in FIG. 1. The receiverhitches 104 are able to be secured to the vehicle 99 with one or moreangle transition plates 210. The boom head base 206 couples the top ofthe support beams 202 together and provides a pulley channel 306 (seeFIGS. 3A-D) for receiving the boom head main pulley 208. In someembodiments, the support beams 202 comprise steel tubing. Alternatively,the support beams 202 are able to comprise any combination of steel,titanium and/or composite materials (e.g. S-glass or E-glass), carbonfiber (e.g. using custom wrap angles), and other resins/epoxies as arewell known in the art. In some embodiments, the support beams 202 arecoated with a composite layer and/or other polymer products forproviding increased corrosion resistance.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a front, back, top and bottom view of the rescueboom head base 206 according to some embodiments. Specifically, the boomhead base 206 comprises a pair of locking pins 308, a knot-passingpulley 310 and a body 302 having a pair of support beam cavities 304 anda main pulley channel 306. The support beam cavities 304 are positionedat angles to receive the support beams 202 wherein the locking pins 308are able to lock the support beams 202 within the support beam cavities304 thereby securing the top of the boom 102 together. Alternatively,the support beams 202 are able to be secured within the support beamcavities 304 using other types of fasteners as are well known in theart. The channel 306 is configured to receive the body of the mainpulley 208 and enable the main pulley 208 to rotate within the channel306 as needed during operation of the apparatus 100. The knot-passingpulley 310 for receiving the safety line 116 is coupled to the bottom ofthe boom head base 206 such that the knot-passing pulley 310 is able tobe coupled to a safety line 116 (see FIG. 1) when the boom 102 is inoperation in order to further ensure a static location of the rescuebasket should a failure occur in the main rescue apparatus systemallowing the main rescue line to contain unwanted and instant slack. Theattached side load straps 114, attached to the main beams 202 providethe advantage that in the case of failure of a portion of the apparatus100, these side load straps 114 will also ensure the rescuers andvictims are not injured by the failure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the boom head main pulley 208according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the main pulley 208comprises a cylindrical hollow body 402 serving as the rescue linechannel 408, a pulley head 404 and a collar bearing 406. The body 402 ofthe main pulley 208 is sized so that it is able to slide into thechannel 306. The rescue line channel 408 enables the rescue line 110 tobe threaded through the body 402 of the main pulley 208 and around thepulley head 404, wherein the main pulley 208 is then able to be insertedinto the channel 306 of the boom head base 206. As a result, the mainpulley 208 is able to freely rotate within the channel 306 as rescueline 110 is moved with respect to the boom 102. The collar bearing 406is configured to abut the bottom of the pulley head 404 and the top ofthe channel 306 of the base 206, such that the bearing 406 enables themain pulley 208 to rotate within the channel 306, while receiving theweight of the victim being hoisted, without damaging the body 402 of themain pulley 208 or the body of the base 206. In some embodiments, thebearing 406 comprises brass. Alternatively, the bearing 406 is able tocomprise any combination of brass, nylon or other composite materials asare well known in the art. In some embodiments, the collar bearing 406is able to be replaced with one or more ball bearings or other types ofbearings as are well known in the art.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate detailed views of the rescue basket 108according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the rescue basket108 is able to have metal rails 508 and be certified and designated forshort-haul use as described by fire departments for use to rescuevictims in an over-bank type rescue so as to allow for attachments ofleveling straps 504 and carabineers 512. As shown in FIG. 5A, the rescuebasket 108 comprises a body 502, a plurality of straps 504, one or morecarabineer nodes 512 and a continuous lifting rail 508. In someembodiments, the rescue basket 108 is able to further comprise one ormore wheels 506 and/or a remote winch controller 510 as shown in FIG.5B. In some embodiments, the body 502 comprises a Stokes rescue basket.Alternatively, the body 502 is able to comprise a flat backboard, aflexible sling, or any other object designed to securely carry people orother items to be rescued. The plurality of straps 504 are selectivelycoupled together and to the perimeter of the body 502 such that thestraps 504 enable the rescue line 110 to detachably couple to the basket108. In some embodiments, the straps 504 are adjustable such that arescuer is able to adjust the length of one or more of the straps 504 tokeep the basket 108 level. The lifting rails 508 are coupled to theperimeter of the body 502 and sized such that one or more rescuers areable to couple to the rails 508 and lift the basket 108 while keepingtheir hands free to treat the victim. The carabineer nodes 512 enableone or more rescuers or support straps 504 to securely detachably coupleto the rescue basket 108. In some embodiments, the rails 508 arealuminum. In some embodiments wheels 506 are coupled to the bottom ofthe body 502. In some embodiments, the wheels 506 are able toselectively extend or telescope such that the basket 108 is supportedand is able to roll at a height above the ground. In some embodiments,the wheels 506 are able to selectively retract such that basket 108 isable to be rested on the body 502 without the possibility of rolling onthe wheels 506. As a result, the apparatus 100 provides the advantage ofenabling the rescuers to more easily guide/navigate the basket 108 toand from the victim.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the remote winch controller 510 is able to bedetachably coupled to the body 502 by magnet, Velcro or other suitableattachment method when using the hand-held version or it isalternatively attached directly to the winch 106 by an electrical cord.This enables the rescuers to remotely control the operation of the winch106 as the winch 106 raises and lowers the basket 108. As a result, theapparatus 100 provides the advantage of enabling the basket 108 to becontrolled at the basket location reducing the need to maintain visualor other types of contact with the vehicle 99. This is especiallybeneficial when there are a limited number of rescuers available as asingle rescuer is able to operate the apparatus 100 while responding tothe needs of the victim. In some embodiments, the controller 510comprises wireless coupling to the winch 106 and/or a voice activatedcommand interface. This would enable a rescuer to control the apparatus100 “hands free” so that their hands are able to be used to assist thevictim. Additionally, in some embodiments, the basket 108 comprises oneor more of a pulsimeter/oxymeter, an oxygen/“02” bottle, a defibrillatorunit, a blood-pressure cuff, an inflatable splint, a toolbox stylecompartment, an automatic CPR machine, a rangefinder, and a fan-foldedshock blanket that is able to be made from materials that are suitablefor treating victims of shock including a battery charged electric styleheated shock blanket powered by solar or other energy device such asbattery with an automatic shut-off of 10 minutes, heating to a maximumof 105 degrees.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method of retrieving avictim according to some embodiments. A rescuer assembles and couplesthe boom 102 onto the vehicle 99 at the step 602. The rescuer threadsthe rescue line 110 from the winch 106 through the main pulley 404 ofthe boom 102 at the step 604. The rescuer attaches the rescue line 110to the rescue basket or other container 108 at the step 606. The rescuerpasses a rescue line through a knot-passing pulley 310 of the boom headbase 206 at the step 608, securing the line to the rescue basket 108.The rescuer activates the winch 106 to allow the basket 108 to beleveraged to a level position by using the rescuers as the angle ofinterface between the basket and the ground and by adjusting the straps504 on the basket 504 at step 610. In some embodiments, the rescuerlowers and/or raises the basket 108 using voice commands received by thecontroller 510. The rescuer guides the rescue carrier 108 to the victimand back to the vehicle 99 using appropriate winch speed controlled bythe remote control 510, leverage and technique of the rescuers incombination with adjustable leveling straps 504 at the step 612. In someembodiments, the method further comprises extending the wheels 506 ofthe carrier/basket 108 at the top of the embankment so that the victimis able to be pushed on those wheels 506 to a waiting ambulance or othervehicle at a standard stretcher height. Alternatively, the wheels 506are able to be retracted by the rescuer. As a result, the victim is ableto be moved easily from the rescue carrier 108 to an ambulance Strykergurney typical to most ambulances greatly reducing the amount of liftingthe rescuers must do and reducing further trauma to the victim.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate top and cross-sectional views respectively ofthe retrieval apparatus 700 according to some embodiments. The retrievalapparatus 700 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is substantially similar to theretrieval apparatus 100 described above except for the differencesdescribed herein. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the winch106 of the retrieval apparatus 700 is detachably coupled to the supportbeams 202 instead of to the vehicle 99. As a result, the apparatus 700provides the benefit of being able to operate with vehicles or otherobjects that do not have the room or capability to securely support thewinch 106. As shown in FIG. 7A, the winch 106 is permanently ordetachable coupled to a base plate 702 having a plurality of plateapertures 704 and the support beams 202 each comprise a beam aperture708 (see FIG. 7B) that is able to align with a plate aperture 704 and astop channel 706 having a side wall 707 protruding from a top surface ofthe beams 202. In some embodiments, the side wall 707 is able to beomitted. In some embodiments, one or more additional plate apertures 704and corresponding beam apertures 708 are able to be added to the baseplate 702 and beams 202 respectively. Although the plurality of plateapertures 704 are shown at the top corners of the plate 702, they areable to be positioned anywhere on the plate 702 wherein the apertures704 are able to simultaneously align with the beam apertures 708.

When coupled to the support beams 202, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cornersand/or sides of the base plate 702 are slid into the stop channels 706such that the side walls 707 prevent the base plate 702 from movinglaterally out of the stop channels 706 and the bottom and top of thestop channel 704 prevent the base plate 702 from sliding down the beams202 or being pulled out of the stop channels 704. When positioned withinthe stop channels 704, the plate apertures 704 each align with one ofthe beam apertures 708 such that the top of the base plate 702 is ableto be detachably secured to the beams 202 using a first pin 710 thatslides through both the plate and beam apertures 704, 708 and a secondpin 712 that secures the first pin 710 in place. Alternatively, otherfastening means are able to be used to detachably couple the winch 106to the beams 202. In some embodiments, the edges of the base plate 702are angled such that they match the angle of the support beams 202 whenthe boom 102 is assembled. Alternatively, the base plate 702 is able tobe comprise other shapes capable of detachably coupling to the supportbeams 202. As a result, the apparatus provides the advantage of aneasily assembled and disassembled boom 102 having a detachably coupledwinch 106 such that another mount for the winch is unnecessary.

Thus, it is clear that the retrieval apparatus described herein hasnumerous advantages. Specifically, the victim retrieval apparatus isable to quickly be assembled onto a variety of vehicles for varioustypes of over-bank or in any location where a victim retrieval isneeded. Further, the apparatus provides the benefit of being able to beremotely control the operation of the victim retrieval from the carrierlocation instead of the vehicle location. This enables rescuers to reactto issues that arise at the carrier location without needed to be invisual contact with a vehicle operator. Moreover, the victim retrievalis assembled in a fraction of the time it takes to assemble theconventional and traditional Z-Pulley method allowing for a much faster,safer and more efficient rescue for the victim. This ensures a safermethod of rescue for the rescuers and reduces fire/rescue-related lossesincluding human losses. Further, the rescue basket described herein hasa variety of victim monitoring equipment and other things which are ableto include a plurality of wheels reducing the friction between thebasket and the terrain. Additionally, the victim retrieval device isable to quickly be assembled onto a vehicle, utilize remote control andassure a faster, safer and more efficient over-bank or rugged terrainrescue for both victims and rescuers alike.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications are able to bemade in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it is understoodthat although the retrieval apparatus is described herein with referenceto retrieving victims, the retrieval of other objects is contemplated.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A boom for use with a retrieval apparatus, the boomcomprising: a boom head having a body comprising one or more beamcavities, a pulley channel and a safety pulley; one or more supportbeams detachably coupled within the beam cavities; and a rotatablepulley rotatably coupled within the pulley channel.
 23. The boom ofclaim 22 wherein the support beams each comprise an angled stubconfigured to couple with a hitch of an anchor object.
 24. The boom ofclaim 23 further comprising one or more support members detachablycoupled to the support beams between the stubs and the boom head. 25.The boom of claim 22 wherein the rotatable pulley comprises a bearingelement positioned between the rotatable pulley and the pulley channelfor facilitating the rotation of the rotatable pulley within the pulleychannel.
 26. The boom of claim 25 wherein the bearing element comprisesa protective collar or one or more ball bearings.
 27. The boom of claim22 further comprising a reel mechanism that is detachably coupled to thesupport beams.
 28. The boom of claim 27 wherein the reel mechanismcomprises a base plate and the support beams each comprise a stopchannel that receives the base plate when the reel mechanism is coupledto the support beams.
 29. The boom of claim 28 wherein the stop channelseach comprise a side wall that abuts the side of the base plate when thereel mechanism is coupled to the support beams such that the reelmechanism is prevented from moving laterally with respect to the boom.30. The boom of claim 28 wherein the base plate comprising a pluralityof plate apertures and the support beams each comprise a beam aperturesthat align with one of the plate apertures when the reel mechanism iscoupled to the support beams.
 31. The boom of claim 30 furthercomprising a pin for each of the plate apertures that are positionedwithin the aligned plate and beam apertures in order to secure the reelmechanism to the support beams. 32-50. (canceled)